Nihal Sarin’s Masterclass in Consistency: Dominant 2816 Performance Secures President Cup Masters 2025 Title

Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has once again underlined his credentials as one of India’s most complete classical players, clinching the IV President Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent with a performance marked by tactical precision, strategic depth, and remarkable psychological resilience.

His 2816 Tournament Performance Rating (TPR), achieved against an elite field averaging 2625 Elo, stands as one of the strongest classical performances of his career. 

The President Cup Masters, conducted by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation with support from FIDE, has rapidly grown into a premier fixture in the global calendar. The 2025 edition followed a closed 10-player round-robin format, representing the highest competitive standard in classical chess one in which every round demands precision and where consistency is rewarded as much as brilliance. The tournament was staged at the International Chess Academy in Tashkent from December 4–12. 

While Nihal had won the 2024 edition of the President Cup, that victory came in an open Swiss format. The 2025 triumph in a closed super-tournament required a different quality of endurance: the ability to face nine elite opponents consecutively, without respite.

An Elite Field Led by the 2700-Rated Indian

The Masters section brought together an eclectic mix of rising stars, seasoned campaigners, and ambitious Uzbek talents. Nihal entered as the top seed at 2701, with major international challengers such as Armenia’s Shant Sargsyan (2665), former World Blitz Champion Alexander Grischuk (2654), and Germany’s Frederik Svane (2653). Uzbekistan fielded a powerful contingent including Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2641) and Mukhiddin Madaminov (2552) both of whom emerged as central figures in Nihal’s title race.

The depth of the field meant there were no easy rounds, and the early stages showed exactly that: after four rounds, Nihal, Vokhidov, and Madaminov were tied at 3/4, reflecting the tournament’s high competitive parity. 

A Strong Start: Tactical Precision and Controlled Stability

Nihal began his campaign with a commanding win over Svane, described as a “flawless attacking masterpiece.” The victory set the tone for the tournament, showcasing his sharp preparation and willingness to take initiative from the outset. A stable draw followed against Maxime Lagarde, and a short theoretical Berlin Defence draw against Grischuk allowed him to conserve energy while staying in shared lead. 

Rounds 5–6: The Turning Point

Round 5 produced one of the event’s finest technical displays. Playing white against Sargsyan, Nihal navigated a complex Queen–Rook–Bishop endgame with immaculate technique, culminating in a decisive central pawn breakthrough that secured him the sole lead at 4/5. 

But the tournament’s pivotal drama came in Round 6. Facing Madaminov with Black, Nihal overpressed in what should have been a defensible position. Sacrificing a second pawn in pursuit of winning chances, he misjudged the position and suffered his only defeat of the event. The loss dropped him to 4/6 and left him trailing Madaminov and Vokhidov. 

This setback was as psychological as it was technical a moment that could have unraveled a lesser competitor. But Nihal’s response would define his championship.

Reasserting Control: Recovery and the Title Clincher

Nihal steadied himself in Round 7 with a crucial win (inferred) against Bardiya Daneshvar, keeping him within striking distance heading into Round 8.

Round 8, however, became the defining chapter. Paired with co-leader Vokhidov and playing with the white pieces, Nihal capitalized on a single middlegame error Vokhidov’s misplaced queen to seize a pawn and convert the technical advantage with trademark clarity. 

Simultaneously, Madaminov the other joint leader fell to Maxime Lagarde. The combined results meant no competitor could catch Nihal in the final round, securing him the championship with a round to spare. 

Nihal’s victory was not merely about scoring points but about the quality of those points. His 2816 TPR, coupled with a gain of +11 Elo, pushed his live rating to 2712, a new personal peak. The result is expected to elevate him from World No. 32 into the top 25–30 bracket, further solidifying his place among the game’s elite. 

The President Cup Masters 2025 showcased a Nihal Sarin who has transformed from a prodigious tactician into a mature classical competitor capable of controlling tournaments, absorbing setbacks, and delivering under pressure. His back-to-back triumphs 2024 in an open Swiss and 2025 in a closed elite round-robin demonstrate versatility, adaptability, and a trajectory pointing unmistakably toward the world’s top tier.

If this performance is any indication of his form heading into 2026, Nihal Sarin is no longer a rising star. He is a fully established force in global chess.